Legion
William Peter Blatty
Language: English
Pages: 336
ISBN: 0765327139
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
Just in time for the 40th anniversary of The Exorcist -- Legion, a classic tale of horror, is back in print!
A young boy is found horribly murdered in a mock crucifixion. Is the murderer the elderly woman who witnessed the crime? A neurologist who can no longer bear the pain life inflicts on its victims? A psychiatrist with a macabre sense of humor and a guilty secret? A mysterious mental patient, locked in silent isolation?
Lieutenant Kinderman follows a bewildering trail that links all these people, confronting a new enigma at every turn even as more murders surface. Why does each victim suffer the same dreadful mutilations? Why are two of the victims priests? Is there a connection between these crimes and another series of murders that took place twelve years ago―and supposedly ended with the death of the killer?
Legion is a novel of breathtaking energy and suspense. But more than this, it is an extraordinary journey into the uncharted depths of the human mind and the most agonizing questions of the human condition.
The answers are revealed in a climax so stunning that it could only have been written by the author of The Exorcist―William Peter Blatty.
said the priest. “Too spicy? I’ve seen you dip Twinkies in mustard. Here, my son, let the expert tell you what’s spicy. Chef Milani to the rescue.” Kinderman picked up his fork and took a bite of Dyer’s omelette. Then he put down the fork and stared without expression at Dyer’s plate. “You have ordered an archaeological find.” “Getting back to the movie,” said Dyer. He exhaled his first drag of smoke. “On my list of the ten greatest movies ever made,” declared Kinderman. “What are your
bless her, while Atkins, as usual, assists me in the daytime and by night robs 7-Eleven stores. Incidentally, is it ethical for government employees to work two jobs, or am I just being finicky about this, Father? I welcome your spiritual advice.” “I didn’t think they kept very much cash in those stores.” “Incidentally, how’s your mother?” Dyer had been stubbing out his cigarette. He stopped and looked at Kinderman oddly. “Bill, she’s dead.” The detective looked aghast. “She’s been dead for
sleeping?” the detective asked softly. Temple shook his head. “Did you see a priest today, Mrs. Clelia?” the psychiatrist asked her. Suddenly the woman broke her silence. “Noooooo,” she answered in a tone that was low and drawn out, like a groan. It had an eeriness about it. “Did you go for a walk this morning?” “Noooooo.” “Did somebody take you somewhere?” “Noooooo.” “Shit,” whispered Temple. He turned his head and looked at Kinderman. The detective said, “All right. That’s enough.”
in the presence of majesty, a giant. No, really. A man should get his just recognition. Would you like to know the highlight of Atkins’ career with us? Certainly. We shouldn’t cover stars with an okra basket. Last week, for the nineteenth—” “Twentieth,” Atkins corrected him, holding up his pen for emphasis. “For the twentieth time, he brings in Mishkin, the notorious evildoer. His crime? His unvarying M.O.? He breaks into apartments and moves all the furniture around. He redecorates.” Kinderman
Atkins and said, “It’s over.” Then he paused and added, “I believed him.” The next instant the terror and the loss flooded in, the relief and the pain, and his face began to crumple. He sagged against a wall and started sobbing uncontrollably. Atkins was caught by surprise and for a moment he didn’t know what to do; then he took a step forward and held the detective in his arms. “It’s all right, sir,” he repeated over and over as the sobbing and weeping went on. Just when Atkins was afraid it